Go now, a child of God. Choose well the road you take,
And the decisions you make. Keep in mind always that The God you serve continues to call to you, making you more and more every day into the faithful one God wants you to be.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

One hundred sixty-nine

I spent the weekend with my dad. The great thing about my dad is that he always listens but doesn't tell me what to do. Sometimes I wish he would. He's never been that kind of parent.
His best advice to me this weekend is patience. Give things time to work out. He and I are both frustrated with circumstances about our business, if we had resources we could show up everyday and create something great daily. He left early this morning and I miss him already.

Something bigger than us needs to happen. I'm in prayer about it. Just for us to achieve our goals. God will provide for our needs. I have faith in that. Also praying for wisdom.

"The Lord hears good people when they cry out to him, and he saves them from all their troubles."
Psalm 34:17

God is good all the time!

Glory to God today!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

One hundred sixty- eight

I am having random days of devotions- but always , constantly with God.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
Romans 8:28

This past week has had its challenges, losses, losses and more losses. Grieving is a process that one has to go through. Sometimes our grief feels like a mountain we have to climb. Sometimes we don’t feel equipped to make the climb. That’s when we need to remember that we are not climbing the mountain alone. God is with us. Grieving is something we all have to go through at one time or another.

God does not expect us not to grieve. His word tells us, “That you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13
I seek God and his goodness. I praise Him and know that He is still in control of whatever happens.

To God be all the glory honor and praise!

Monday, March 15, 2010

One hundred sixty-seven

I am feeling sad.  Two of my friends have lost close family members this past week. 
One of my co-workers lost her mother, and one of my girlfriends lost her sister. 

I used to work in a funeral home.  I have been in the presense of families when they are making the final arrangements for their loved ones.  When someone is exposed to that kind of grief on a daily basis, they have to separate themselves from the emotions.  For me, I had to be compassionate and stay on track and get the family past their differnces to deal with the difficult task they are faced with.  I had to understand that families greif at the time was not my own. 
Lately I have been  very sensitive to others emotions.
I'm being more and more open with my own emotions and since I have been observing Lent, I have Jesus final days on my mind a lot.  I  feel empathy for the Lord Jesus Christ and his final days.  I think of the disciples and how Jesus told them how to prepare for his death. 

"The Son of Man will die, just as the scriptures say."
Matthew 26:24

No one could see at the time, what God's ultiimate plan was.  Accused, left alone, nailed on a cross and left to die, Jesus  lived his ministry for three years, all his wonderous works compressed into those few years... Extraordinary. 
Then it ended in such an extreme way that Friday on Calvary. 
What would have happened if Jesus had 10 years on this earth? Twenty years?

God's greatest blessings often come disguised as disasters. 

You may be in your own private grief.  I am grieving also. 
I am in constant prayer.  Constant prayer. 

Remember the death of Jesus Christ and the love he had for all of us . He lived his life as such  an example of love and mercy. 

Dear Lord Jesus, you could not carry your own cross, and I am feeling like I can't carry my cross without you, Please Lord send your help and peace.  Thank you for your death and forgiveness of my sin.  I give you all the glory, honor and praise for the future you have planned for me.  I need you.  I can't do this alone. 

Thank you, Jesus.  I love you. 

Thursday, March 11, 2010

One hundred sixty- six

Today I feel like I am faced with an impossible situation. I stepped out on faith and I am waiting for an answer. I prayed for God’s will to be done. I feel impatient for the answer. I am not forgetting to take deep breaths and remembering that God is in control.


This year so far my life is extraordinary that I am faced with doing a lot of things independently. Not that I have a problem with it, or that I don’t have friends, I do have great friends. I feel more than ever I am asking God to not let me go through everything alone. I am asking God to spend each day with me. A few months ago I was emotional. I really couldn’t concentrate on what I needed to concentrate on.

I am asking for direction from God more and more. I am the opposite of independent when it comes to God. I am completely vulnerable and completely incapable of making anything happen without God.
I am living alone for the first time in a long time. I don’t have anyone to consider but myself. Some might think that kind of independence would be freeing. I’ll admit it is a change. But that freedom is not without choices. I am even more aware of my choices.

I am letting go of my anxiety about my impossible situation and giving it over to God. I know He is in control and my worry won’t change the outcome. I am glad that He is here with me during this time.

“The secret things belong to the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 29:29



When we are at our wit’s end trying to figure out a situation, when life is a mystery that seems to have no answer- Only God knows the answer.

To God be all the glory, honor and praise for what he allows to happen in our lives. 

Peace and mercy to you from God our father.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

One hundred sixty-five

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with Thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2

I admitted the other day that I didn’t put my emotions to prayer. I am distracted today. My distraction is actually worry. I know I am not supposed to worry. I know I am supposed to have faith. I’ve been praying about a situation and it is the cause of my worry. I admit that this is overtaking all of my thoughts. I should be in prayer.
As Christians we are urged to “pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes. 5:17
“Always be prayerful.” Romans 12:12
“pray at all times and on every occasion.” Eph. 6:18

As you know I am already in constant prayer observing Lent- no chocolate until Easter, now I have this new distraction and my mind is in constant thought about the situation.

I was told that I have to change the way I think of prayer. It is not just a motion I go through, kneeling, folding of hands, and bowing of my head and saying words of worship, praise and thanksgiving; no I am to do more than the act of praying, it is a constant awareness that God is present. I am to be more aware of God.

I know I have to also work on being constantly thankful. Even now I can be thankful for the presence of God with me while I write this. Even in my everyday tasks I need to put in practice being in worship with God. Tomorrow I plan to say throughout my day, “your presence my King, My Lord, is welcome” as I go about my everyday tasks.

I pray that God be present with me tomorrow. I hope that He will give me peace about the things I am worried about. I know that God is the only one I can count on to handle my situation.

I am in prayer about my friends finding jobs and that God will be present in their lives also.

Mercy and peace to all of us from God our father.

Monday, March 8, 2010

one hundred sixty-four

Today I got a thought in my mind and I couldn’t let it go. It was not a good thought. I talked with a few people and they did not ease my mind they escalated my thoughts. I know it would be better if I said nothing. Then I wonder how I am supposed to work things out. People sometimes make me feel ashamed if I don’t agree with their advice.
My thoughts really made my day tough.

My day should have been carefree, but it wasn’t, it was a emotional day, even right now, I am angry for continuing to give time to my troublesome thoughts.

I know your wondering did I pray about having these thoughts?

Honestly no.

I let my thoughts snowball and even now, I am agitated.

Today’s verse:
Love suffers long and is kind.”
1 Corinthians 13:4


I admit my thoughts were of someone I love.

Going to pray and change my day.

Grace and peace to you from God our father.

Friday, March 5, 2010

One hundred sixty-three

"Be glad that you are his; let those who seek the Lord be happy."
1 Cronicles 16:10

Have you ever watched a funny movie, and no matter what kind of mood you are in, if you watch that movie you will laugh time after time until your sides hurt. 
Trials do come in our lives and it is during these times that I am thankful that I have my friends to laugh at and with me about anything.  I am lucky to have friends that like to laugh. 

Love makes the world go 'round
but laughter keeps you from getting dizzy. 

God can give us the same comfort to offer relief from our troubles.  He does have a purpose for trials. 

To God be all the Glory Honor and Praise. 

Thank you God for the Sunshine after the rain!


Blessings to you from God our father. 

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

One hundred sixty-two

Open heart and open mind for Jesus during this season of Lent.
I know everyone is not observing Lent- I am not Catholic, but my mom is, and Lent is observed within my family. I participate. This year I chose my sacrifice to be my all time favorite-Chocolate. I can't even begin to tell you how many times chocolate is in front of me during the day.

Early in the morning – hot chocolate, midday my co-worker offers me candy, lunch the desert is chocolate, mid-afternoon I think of the chocolate I wanted, evening when I go into my freezer for ice- there is the remnant of my valentine’s heart – chocolates in a zip-lock... Ummmmh, I can smell chocolate just thinking about it.

The thing about Lent is that each of these conscious thoughts of chocolate make me change my mind and think of Jesus. I know that Jesus prayed so hard about his situation in the days leading up to his crucifixion that he even asked God, did it have to happen?

32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36"Abba,[e] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
-Mark 14:32-35

Jesus surrendered his life. He died for our sins. Giving up chocolate for 40 days is a petty thing to give up compared to the gift Jesus gave. Even more so, he surrendered to death- God’s will.

I sometimes don’t feel I have the willpower to say no to chocolate, but I do pause and give a moment of thanks to Jesus, no less than 15 times a day in addition to my prayer time. Thinking of Jesus as my Lord and Savior during these 40 days will create a habit within me that will last longer than Lent.

Even if you are not observing Lent, take time to think of Jesus and what he must have been going through leading up to his day on the cross.

Can you surrender to God’s will?

Pray. Whatever sacrifices you are making- give them over to God and he will bring you through them. 

Grace and mercy to you from God our father.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

One hundred sixty-one

Spontaneous waterworks happen when you are grieving. I a big cry baby.  I cry very easily in my fragile state.  Everyone suggests that time will make a difference in how we feel about the loss or the uncertain feeling of the circumstance we don’t have any control over. Time and patience is not something many of us feel like we have. I feel that God forces us to have time and patience when we feel like we have it the least.

I got an e-mail today with pictures of poverty from people that struggled during the depression and the dust bowl. The places they had to live in were similar to the conditions in Hati with housing being very little more than a shack made of scraps of materials; lucky to have a roof over their head. Times in America have been worse than they are now.

I really hate that there are so many people faced with unemployment. I am thankful for my job and what I am able to afford. I have some worries about finances and I sometimes forget that God is the one that is providing for all my needs. I’m sure we are all guilty of that.

I am praying that God will meet needs and be evident in lives where He is needed the most.

“The Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.” - Deuteronomy 16:15

There is hope that this grief will end and we will be able to not feel the pain so much. I’m giving God time to do what He needs to accomplish and let God be God.

When we let God be God we open ourselves up to something extraordinary!

Monday, March 1, 2010

One hundred sixty

"Keep on working to complete your salvation with fear and trembling, because God is working in you to help you want to be and be able to do what pleases him."
Philippians 2:12-13

Maybe you noticed I didn’t post yesterday. I lack discipline. I admit discipline is a weak area for me. I admire structure and order, but I work well in chaos. I am not going around creating chaos, I just deal with it well. I didn’t have chaos in my life yesterday, that’s not why I didn’t post- it is sheer lack of discipline.
My friends invited me to join them in running a 5K in April. I’m not in shape. I have not been disciplined to conditioning my body. I need to get serious about it. I have encouraging friends. They offer advice about dieting and training routines. But all that doesn’t do me any good if I don’t do any of it.

This poem was on a poster I saw yesterday:

Watch your thoughts:
They become your words.

Watch your words:
They become your actions.

Watch your actions:
They become your habits.

Watch your habits:
They become your character.

Watch your character:
It becomes your destiny.
- Frank Outlaw

I’m glad that God is still at work in my life and I’m still working on my relationship with God. I might miss a day posting in my 365 day journey… so it will be longer than 365 respectively. My postings are consecutive numbers, but even the days there is not a post, I am still with God. Like in the poem, I want my character to show and my destiny to be with God. 

Everyday discipline that I am lacking, requires discipline to achieve. I plan to include God in my training for the 5K and I know that with God all things are possible.

Paul wanted one point to stand out in Philipians- and that was that we are to pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended on you.  That is one big goal to accomplish.  And the question is asked, what is it that God is depending on me for? 

Frog in a Milk-Pail Fable
A frog was hopping around a farmyard, when it decided to investigate the barn. Being somewhat careless, and maybe a little too curious, he ended up falling into a pail half-filled with fresh milk.
As he swam about attempting to reach the top of the pail, he found that the sides of the pail were too high and steep to reach.
He tried to stretch his back legs to push off the bottom of the pail but found it too deep.
But this frog was determined not to give up, and he continued to struggle.
He kicked and squirmed and kicked and squirmed, until at last, all his churning about in the milk had turned the milk into a big hunk of butter.
The butter was now solid enough for him to climb onto and get out of the pail!

"Never Give Up!"


I'm still posting to this blog,  to God be all the glory, if it was not for His words prompting each post, I wouldn't be able to post each day.  I know I am not where God wants me to be in my disipline, but I am a work in progress. God will reveal what he wants for me.

May God be at work in your life today.  I don't know a single one of us that couldn't use a prayer, that little talk with God that will get us through today.  Pray, God is always listening. 

Peace and mercy to you from God our father.